[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 154 (Friday, November 18, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13400-S13401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 329--CONGRATULATING COACH BILL SNYDER FOR HIS 
 ACHIEVEMENTS DURING 17 YEARS AS THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH OF THE KANSAS 
                       STATE UNIVERSITY WILDCATS

  Mr. ROBERTS (for himself and Mr. Brownback) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 329

       Whereas, on November 30, 1998, Bill Snyder was named as the 
     32nd football coach at Kansas State University;
       Whereas upon his hiring, Kansas State had experienced years 
     of unsuccessful seasons and in the 52 years prior to his 
     hiring, the Kansas State University football team had a 
     combined record of only 134 wins;
       Whereas Bill Snyder directed and orchestrated a football 
     program success and turnaround that is now considered by many 
     to be the greatest in the history of collegiate athletics;
       Whereas Bill Snyder coached the Kansas State Wildcats to 11 
     consecutive postseason bowl appearances;
       Whereas the teams coached by Bill Snyder became the second 
     program in college football history to win 11 games, 6 times 
     in a 7 year time span;
       Whereas the teams coached by Bill Snyder won the Big 12 
     North Division title on 4 occasions and appeared in 3 Big 12 
     Championship games;
       Whereas the 2003 team coached by Bill Snyder was crowned 
     the Big 12 Champion;
       Whereas Bill Snyder coached 42 National Football League 
     draft picks, 45 All-America selections, and 68 first team 
     all-conference honorees at Kansas State University;
       Whereas Bill Snyder was named National Coach of the year in 
     1991, 1994, and 1998;
       Whereas Bill Snyder was named the Bear Bryant and Football 
     Writers Association of America National Coach of the year in 
     1998;
       Whereas in the best sense of collegiate athletics, Bill 
     Snyder has been a mentor and, through his own actions, taught 
     leadership and personal responsibility to young men;
       Whereas Bill Snyder has changed the course of history at 
     Kansas State University, including contributing to an 
     increased enrollment from 18,120 at his hiring in 1988 to 
     nearly 24,000 in 2005;
       Whereas Bill Snyder and his family have given of themselves 
     and contributed numerous hours and resources to charitable 
     causes throughout the State of Kansas to the betterment of 
     numerous individuals and the State as a whole;
       Whereas Bill Snyder has instilled a new sense of pride in 
     the State for all current and native Kansans;
       Whereas Bill Snyder currently ranks as the most successful 
     coach in Kansas State University history with 135 wins;

[[Page S13401]]

       Whereas the Kansas State Board of Regents has recognized 
     the contributions of Coach Bill Snyder and his family to the 
     State of Kansas and Kansas State University by renaming the 
     football stadium ``Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium''; and
       Whereas the contributions of Bill Snyder to Kansas State 
     University, the State of Kansas, and countless young adults 
     are worthy of honor and recognition: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates Coach Bill Snyder and his family upon his 
     planned retirement on November 19, 2005, as the most 
     successful coach in Kansas State University history with a 
     current record of 135 wins;
       (2) commends Coach Bill Snyder for his mentoring and 
     teaching of leadership and values to young men;
       (3) commends Coach Bill Snyder and his family for their 
     selfless support of Kansas State University and their 
     charitable activities throughout the State of Kansas, while 
     displaying the heartland values of honesty, integrity, and 
     humility; and
       (4) respectfully directs the Enrolling Clerk of the Senate 
     to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to--
       (A) Bill Snyder and his family; and
       (B) Kansas State University President Jon Wefald.

  Mr. ROBERTS. Mr. President, today I am submitting a Senate Resolution 
commending the contributions and record of a most unique and deserving 
man, the retiring football coach of Kansas State University Wildcats, 
Bill Snyder.
  I suppose some, especially non sports fans, might raise an eyebrow or 
question a Senate Resolution congratulating a football coach, no matter 
how successful in wins and losses--after all, as some have said, ``it's 
only a game.'' But in the case of Coach Bill Snyder his contributions 
transcend his outstanding record of wins and losses; they represent 
being a mentor and teacher of leadership and values to young men during 
a time when collegiate athletics and sports in general face challenge 
after challenge involving unbecoming conduct and worse. Coach Snyder's 
contribution--football is a game of course but in the case of Bill 
Snyder one of his greatest contributions has been to enable young men 
to win in the game of life by being responsible citizens.
  And, this unique ability on the athletic field became a catalyst for 
alumni interest and a renewal of financial support throughout the 
university enabling all students in all academic fields to benefit.
  Much has been said in Kansas and throughout the football sports world 
about the amazing turnaround Coach Snyder achieved at K-State; 
directing and orchestrating a football program success story that is 
now considered by many to be the greatest in the history of collegiate 
athletics.
  The record in the resolution I have introduced speaks for itself; 
three time national coach of the year, 11 post season bowl games, only 
the second program in college football history to win 11 games, 6 times 
in a 7-year time span, 42 NFL draft picks, 45 All America selections, 
and 68 first team all conference players. That is quite a record.
  The coaches that first started their careers at K-State under Coach 
Snyder now read like a ``Who's Who'' in college football.
  But great as those and the rest of the records are, that does not 
really tell the Bill Snyder story. Simply put, this is a man who 
restored and instilled a new sense of pride in a university and 
throughout our State. This is a man and his family who have given of 
themselves and contributed countless hours and resources to charitable 
causes throughout Kansas.
  With all of his successes and attributes, this is a man who is 
humble, self effacing, soft spoken, and who knows you can get a lot 
more done if you don't care who gets the credit.
  In many ways, Bill Snyder is a private man who has God given ability 
to inspire others in the public arena. He has taught his players that 
in the games of football and life, success is never final, failure is 
never fatal and that in the end its courage that counts. By his 
example, he showed them the attributes of honesty, character and 
reputation are not old fashioned. On the playing field and in life he 
instilled the truism that if you don't drop the ball you won't have to 
complain about the way the ball bounces. The same is true regarding his 
individual player marching orders, never say bad things about your 
opponent win or lose, take care of your self, conduct yourself in your 
best interests and that of your university and teammates. A coach on 
the field and a coach in life.

  I want to get back and emphasize this restoring pride achievement on 
a more personal basis. I know my example is replete with similar 
experiences with the thousands of families who make up what is now 
referred to in the sports pages as the ``Wildcat Nation.''
  My Dad was a proud graduate of Kansas State as I was and my son 
attended Kansas State--three generations. Sports fans and devoted K-
State alumni all, we went through what many loyal K-Stater's call the 
decades of Death Valley Days, seasons of defeat, seasons of eternal 
optimism always tempered, if not shattered by the reality of yet 
another loss. There were some average seasons, a few good seasons, but 
``depths of despair'' would not be an understatement for many of the 
faithful who endured and endured and endured. And, the defeats somehow 
became interwoven with the fabric of our alma mater and apologies for 
psychological exaggeration but even into the psyche of being a K-State 
graduate and our self worth.
  And then came President Jon Wefald and then came Bill Snyder and both 
men grabbed K-State by the collar and said: Enough, we're going to win 
both academically and on the athletic field. And, wonder of wonders, 
they did just that.
  Sports writers have called it a miracle. To many diehard K-State fans 
that was not an understatement. Winning season followed winning season 
and generations of alumni witnessed this success story took it to 
heart, loved it and lived it. It has been a grand experience. When K-
State goes to a bowl game, 25,000 to 30,000 diehard fans are in 
attendance, win or lose.
  Bill Snyder and his wife Sharon and their family gave K-State their 
all and Coach Snyder has given us all pride, self esteem, and 
confidence. It has been one heck of a trail ride for me and my family 
as I know it has been for countless others.
  I just don't know of anyone in their chosen profession who has made 
more of a difference in so many people's lives than Coach Snyder. 
Simply put, Bill Snyder has been a class act and then some and 
collegiate sports, Kansas State University, the State of Kansas and his 
players and fans have been the beneficiaries.
  Thanks Coach. ``Every Man A Wildcat!''

                          ____________________